nd running to the window.

"Nay, nay, she's none drownded," said Mr. Tulliver.--"You've been
naughty to her, I doubt, Tom?"

"I'm sure I haven't, father," said Tom quickly. "I think she's in the
house."

"Perhaps up in that attic," said Mrs. Tulliver, "a-singing and talking
to herself, and forgetting all about meal-times."

"You go and fetch her down, Tom," said Mr. Tulliver, rather sharply.
"And be good to her, do you hear? Else I'll let you know better."

Maggie, who had taken refuge in the attic, knew Tom's step, and her
heart began to beat with the shock of hope. But he only stood still on
the top of the stairs and said, "Maggie, you're to come down." Then
she rushed to him and clung round his neck, sobbing, "O Tom, please
forgive me! I can't bear it. I will always be good--always remember
things. Do love me--please, dear Tom?" And the boy quite forgot his
desire to punish her as much as she deserved; he actually began to kiss
her in return, and say,--

"Don't cry, then, Magsie; here, eat a bit o' cake."

Maggie's sobs began to subside, and she put out her mouth for the cake
and bit a piece; and then Tom bit a piece, just for company, and they
ate together, and rubbed each other's cheeks and brows and noses
together while they ate like two friendly ponies.

"Come along, Magsie, and have tea," said Tom at last.

So ended the sorrows of this day, and the next morning Maggie was to be
seen trotting out with her own fishing-rod in one hand and a handle of
the basket in the other. She had told Tom, however, that she should
like him to put the worms on the hook for her.

They were on their way to the Round Pool--that wonderful pool which the
floods had made a long while ago. The sight of the old spot always
heightened Tom's good-humour, and he opened the basket and prepared
their tackle. He threw Maggie's line for her, and put the rod into her
hand. She thought it probable that the small fish would come to her
hook, and the large ones to Tom's. But after a few moments she had
forgotten all about the fish, and was looking dreamily at the glassy
water, when Tom said, in a loud whisper, "Look, look, Maggie!" and came
running to prevent her from snatching her line away.

Maggie was frightened lest she had been doing something wrong, as
usual; but presently Tom drew out her line and brought a large tench
bouncing out upon the grass.

Tom was excited.

"O Magsie! you little duck! Empty the basket."